Before 3am, Books, Reading
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96 events
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Burns an' a' That! Festival
A whole festival dedicated to Scotland’s internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns. To celebrate the 2013 Year of Natural Scotland, the festival heads outdoors to Belleisle Park for a programme of live music, and visual and performing arts.
Belleisle Park, Ayr
Fri 24 May
Prices vary / 01292 616143
- 12:00 – 17:30
Fri 31 May
Prices vary / 01292 616143
- 12:00 – 17:30
Fri 7 Jun
Prices vary / 01292 616143
- 12:00 – 17:30
Pin Drop
A weekly story reading event, brought to you by Simon Oldfield and Elizabeth Day. Each time, a new line-up of authors, artists, actors and cultural commentators read aloud from contemporary and classic literature.
Simon Oldfield Gallery, London W1K
Wed 22 May
Prices to be confirmed / 020 7404 0884
This week it's Roshi Fernando, author of Homesick and shortlister for the EFG Sunday Times Short Story Prize, 2011.
- 18:30 – 20:00
Thu 23 May
Prices to be confirmed / 020 7404 0884
This week it's Roshi Fernando, author of Homesick and shortlister for the EFG Sunday Times Short Story Prize, 2011.
- 18:30 – 20:00
Fri 24 May
Prices to be confirmed / 020 7404 0884
This week it's Roshi Fernando, author of Homesick and shortlister for the EFG Sunday Times Short Story Prize, 2011.
- 18:30 – 20:00
Art Meets Science: Creating the Genome
Come hear the results of a multidisciplinary project between two geneticists, two poets, a design artist and a photographer, initiated by the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum. With Pippa Goldschmidt, Lisa Matthews and Matthias Wienroth in discussion.
Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh
Tue 21 May
Free / 0131 557 2876
- 18:00
Andrew Greig: Found at Sea
Grieg's mini epic recounting his journey by dinghy from Stromness to Cava, told through music and poetry.
National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
Mon 20 May
Free / 0131 623 3918
-
18:00
Anatomy
Variety night with a focus on risk-taking performance from any genre.
Summerhall, Edinburgh
Fri 14 Jun
£6 / 0845 874 3001
- 19:30 – 22:30
Keith Brockie
Artist Keith Brockie presents an illustrated talk about his new book Return to One Man's Island.
Anstruther Parish Church
Fri 5 Jul
Neu! Reekie!
Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night describing itself as 'playing host to the sinister and the sanguine'.
The Poetry Club, Glasgow
Fri 14 Jun
£8
Neu! Reekie! heads back to Glasgow, this time taking along indie trio Sparrow and the Workshop, filmmakers Kim Moore and Gareth Griffiths (with their protest film Hell Unltd) and poet, novelist and performer Kevin Williamson. Plus, a mystery guest! Ooh, who could it be?!
Summerhall, Edinburgh
Fri 31 May
£7 / 0845 874 3001
With readings from American poet Krystelle Bamford and short story writer McGuire; music from Stevie Jackson of Belle and Sebastian and pop folkies Admiral Fallow; and the usual selection of animated goodness.
Play Reading Group
A reading session featuring excerpts of plays.
Leytonstone Library, London E11
Mon 20 May
Free / 020 8496 1190
- 19:00 – 22:00
Mon 27 May
Free / 020 8496 1190
- 19:00 – 22:00
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 020 8496 1190
- 19:00 – 22:00
Shore Poets
Regular local poetry meet, with readings of thought-provoking new verse and live music.
Henderson's @ St John's, Edinburgh
Sun 26 May
£5 (£3) / 0131 229 0212
With Meg Bateman, Iain Matheson and Martin McIntyre.
- 19:00
Sun 30 Jun
£5 (£3) / 0131 229 0212
With Don Paterson and Clydebuilters.
- 19:00
Bromley Central Library
Thu 23 May
Free / 020 8460 6037
- 18:30
Thu 30 May
Free / 020 8460 6037
- 18:30
Thu 6 Jun
Free / 020 8460 6037
- 18:30
Donald Hope Library, London SW19
Tue 21 May
Free / 020 8542 1975
- 10:30 – 11:30
Tue 28 May
Free / 020 8542 1975
- 10:30 – 11:30
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 020 8542 1975
- 10:30 – 11:30
Peckham Library, London SE15
Tue 28 May
Free / 020 7525 2000
- 18:30 – 20:00
Tue 25 Jun
Free / 020 7525 2000
- 18:30 – 20:00
Tue 30 Jul
Free / 020 7525 2000
- 18:30 – 20:00
Also on at:
back to topAgony Art
An evening of contemporary dance, physical theatre and performance art, with a different curated theme each time.
Chisenhale Dance Space, London E3
Fri 31 May
£5 / 020 8981 6617
This time it's 'No Man's Land', with Mariana Camiloti, Geneviève Giron & Anne-Gaëlle Thiriot, Mary Ann Hushlak and Holly Blakey & Claudia Palazzo.
- 18:30 – 21:00
Alexander McCall Smith: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
The charming author talks about the latest in his No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, the 13th title in the 15-year project.
Harmony Garden, Melrose
Thu 13 Jun
Andrew Greig with Mike Heron
Novelist, poet, sometime mountain climber and writer-of-unclassifiable-books Greig reads from his new book-length poem Found at Sea, with music from Incredible String Band founder and Greig buddy Mike Heron.
Easter Town Hall, Anstruther
Fri 5 Jul
Ann Widdecombe: Strictly Ann
The former politician, who joined the old Conservative party in 1964, is out in and about in support of her new autobiography.
Althorp, Northampton
Thu 13 Jun
Entrance with festival pass / 01604 770107
Part of Althorp Literary Festival.
- 14:00
Creative Innovation Centre, Taunton
Tue 2 Jul
Prices to be confirmed / 01823 337477
- 19:00
Dartington Hall, Totnes
Mon 8 Jul
Prices to be confirmed / 01803 847147
Part of Ways With Words Festival.
- 14:30
Also on at:
- Daunt Books, Marylebone, London W1U
- Fortnum & Mason St. James's Restaurant, London W1J
- Hayling Island Bookshop
- Hemerdon House, Plymouth
- Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton
- Sarratt Village Hall
- Simpson's In The Strand, London WC2R
- St George Hotel, Harrogate
- St Ives Bookseller
- The Carlton Club, London SW1A
- Theatre Royal, Bath
- Torbay Bookshop, Paignton
Arno Geiger: Author Event
A reading from the internationally acclaimed Austrian author.
Austrian Cultural Forum, London SW7
Tue 4 Jun
Free, ticketed / 020 7225 7300
- 19:00
Bike Slam
Inky Fingers present this bike-themed slam (yeah, bike-themed) in partnership with Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
The Forest Café, Edinburgh
Mon 17 Jun
Free / 0131 229 4922
Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
- 19:30 – 22:30
The Book Stops Here
Listen to short readings of work by authors.
The Alley Cat, London WC2H
Tue 21 May
Free / 020 7836 1451
- 19:00 – 21:00
Tue 28 May
Free / 020 7836 1451
- 19:00 – 21:00
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 020 7836 1451
- 19:00 – 22:00
Mon 8 Jul
Free / 020 7836 1451
- 19:00 – 22:00
Bright Young Book Stars Children's Bookgroup (Ages 5-12)
Children can read and discuss a variety of books.
Idea Store Whitechapel, London E1
Wed 22 May
Phone for prices / 020 7364 4332
- 16:00 – 17:00
Wed 29 May
Phone for prices / 020 7364 4332
- 16:00 – 17:00
Browsing Hour
Take an afternoon to visit the Glasgow Women's Library and chat with reader-in-residence Magi Gibson and librarian Wendy Kirk.
Glasgow Women's Library
Wed 12 Jun
Free / 0141 248 9969
- 13:00 – 16:00
Beverley Library
Thu 6 Jun
Free / 01482 392750
- 16:15 – 17:15
Thu 4 Jul
Free / 01482 392750
- 16:15 – 17:15
Chatterbooks (Ages 7-11)
Children can talk about books, play games and complete quizzes.
Bath Central Library
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 01225 463362
- 16:00 – 17:00
Tue 2 Jul
Free / 01225 463362
- 16:00 – 17:00
Chatterbooks Reading Group (Ages 8-12)
Children's book reading group.
Firth Park Library, Sheffield
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 0114 203 7433
- 15:30 – 17:00
Tue 2 Jul
Free / 0114 203 7433
- 15:30 – 17:00
Marcus Garvey Library, London N15
Sat 25 May
Free / 020 8489 5309
- 14:30 – 15:30
North Kensington Library, London W11
Sat 25 May
Free / 020 7361 4154
- 14:00 – 15:30
Sat 29 Jun
Free / 020 7361 4154
- 14:00 – 15:30
Sat 27 Jul
Free / 020 7361 4154
- 14:00 – 15:30
Also on at:
Cherry Menlove: The Handmade Home
The Martha Stewart of blog-land compiles her tips and advice into book form with The Handmade Home, which she'll discuss and sign copies of.
Le Café Anglais, London W2
Mon 24 Jun
Hole Park, Wealden
Fri 7 Jun
Included in admission
Part of Wealden Times Midsummer Fair.
- 11:00
Christina Gabbiats: Author Event
The children's author signs copies of her Felicity Fly series, books which are based on childhood fears and aimed at the 2-6 age range.
Waterstones, Huddersfield
Fri 31 May
Free / 01484 430701
- 10:30 – 13:00
Christopher Reid
A session with the immensely talented poet and editor Christopher Reid, winner of the 2009 Costa Book Award for his collection A Scattering, written as a tribute to his late wife.
King Street Hall, Kirkwall
Mon 24 Jun
£6–£9
